2. Charlie Morton exits game after just 1 inning
The Atlanta Braves had disappointing news after Max Fried's start on Thursday as he was placed on the 15-day IL with issues pertaining to a blister. Not great as we approach the playoffs but the Braves feel optimistic Fried will be good to go for the NLDS.
What Atlanta didn't expect, was to have to worry about Charlie Morton as well. After just 24 pitches and 1 inning of work, Charlie exited the game with "right index finger discomfort". The team later updated and stated X-rays came back negative and Morton's injury was being called a sprain.
He apparently felt something wrong after throwing a curveball during the inning and that is a big part of why he struggled to get through the inning.
Charlie Morton has a right index finger sprain, Snit said. MRI tomorrow. Morton was unsure of the severity. He hinted at his next start coming in the postseason.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) September 23, 2023
The Braves will have Charlie get an MRI tomorrow so they can get more clarity on what exactly is going on. You can definitely feel the frustration from Morton through his post-game interview. It's hard knowing such a small part of the body can make such an impact for an MLB pitcher.
Morton was hopeful he could pitch again in 4 or 5 days but he isn't 100% sure. So, he and the Braves will await answers from imaging and we will find out what happens next. Charlie was expected to be Atlanta's starter for Game 3 of the NLDS but that future is uncertain.
The Braves cannot place him on the 15-day IL because he wouldn't be eligible to come off the IL until what would be Game 3 of the NLDS. Placing him on the IL would deem him ineligible for the entire series. This is certainly a story to keep up with in the next 24 hours.